How to Be Successful in Remote Jobs

Since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, people around the world have realised the joys and perks of remote working. So much so that you can get a remote job even as the world’s economies have practically recovered from it.

It is one of the most attractive work setups to date. Mainly because we can stay at home, minimise expenses, and have access to a bigger pool of both talents and work opportunities that were not easily available before.

So if you are thinking of accepting that remote work opportunity, this article is for you. Here we are sharing tips on how you can be successful in your remote job. If you are new to remote working, this can be a handy checklist for first time remote workers as well.

First, The Remote Work Challenges You Need To Know

With the joys and perks of remote jobs, there are also remote work challenges that we have not experienced in a traditional work setup before. Here are a couple of them you need to watch out for: 

Remote Collaboration

One of the most obvious remote work challenges is how you and your remote team will collaborate. Back then, we could just tap our teammates on the shoulder to ask for their help with a certain task or project. 

In a remote working setup, it is not that easy. Even if you think that you are keeping your request clear and simple, there are some things that your teammates might not understand or they understand differently from how you intend it. 

Different Locations & Time Zones

One of the perks of a remote job is the freedom to work anywhere. You can work from home or even by the beach, so long as you have a good WiFi connection. But, that can also work against you. Working in different locations and time zones makes it a bit more challenging to stay in sync with your remote team. 

Language And Cultural Differences

There will be language and cultural differences when your remote team is working from different countries or even just different parts of a country. Naturally, some of your teammates will also have different levels of proficiency in certain languages as well.

Maximising Productivity

This is one of the most common remote work challenges we all face and the hardest to overcome. For your remote job, there is no one to supervise you directly. Unlike before, your manager can see and easily check on you at any time of day. 

Overcoming Distractions

Dealing with distractions is next in the most common remote work challenges. There are tons of them when you are at home: 

• Bed
• Television
• Parents
• Kids
• Food
• Online deliveries
• Weather

It is understandable. People in our lives have certain expectations when we are working from home. However, these things can be a productivity killer. 

Staying Motivated

Maintaining our motivation is also one of the common remote working challenges we all face. We are so used to working in a supervised environment. Being unsupervised is freeing and puts less pressure on yourself. But, at the same time, staying motivated in a remote working setup becomes a more conscious effort as well.

Unplugging After Work

This is the worst one we experience with a remote job. The distinction between work and home becomes blurred since you are working from home. 

In addition, some employers take advantage of remote working setups. Since you are working remotely, it can be conceived that doing frequent over-times is acceptable. 

These make it hard for you to mentally unplug and get a genuine break from work.

9 Tips On How To Be Successful In Your Remote Job

On the bright side, the remote working challenges we mentioned have workarounds. Here are a couple of tips on working remotely so you can set yourself up to be successful in your remote job: 

Set Up A Dedicated Home Office

It is easier to focus and be productive at work when you are in the right environment. In this case, you will need to create a dedicated home office for your remote job. A workspace you can easily set up and move would do just fine if you do not have enough space at home or wherever you are.

Ideally, you need a quiet area with minimal distractions. It would be better if it is an area with less foot traffic as well. You also need a comfortable chair and an organised work table. Other than that, you have the freedom to incorporate your style.

Use Task Management Tools

It does not have to be a fancy tool, even just a simple list would do. There are plenty of options online that you can use as well. The important thing is to itemise the things you need to do for the week and help you track your progress.

Normally, remote working teams also have their own task management tools and productivity trackers. This makes it easier for you and your remote team to stay in sync and know the turnaround times of your respective tasks.

Exercise Proactive Communication

Communicating between teammates should be a conscious and proactive effort when you accept a remote job. There are plenty of options to communicate: 

• Email
• Video Conferencing 
• Online Chats

Keep in mind, it is better to over-communicate. That way, everyone stays in the loop and on the same page.

Stick To A Work Schedule

Always keep in mind, work is not a 24/7 commitment. That said, it is important that you stick to your work schedule. Be productive within the allotted time for work and deliver the outputs assigned to you. 

This is to ensure you maintain your mental health and avoid burning out. Ultimately, these will help you stay productive in the long run without sacrificing your well-being in the process.

Be Firm With Work-Life Boundaries

You have a life outside work and commitments to the people in your life. But you also have a commitment to your remote job. This is why it is important to set clear boundaries. Politely explain these boundaries to your family and workmates for them to understand this as well.

Structure Your Day From Start To Finish

Creating structure for your workdays and following it helps you stay productive and make efficient use of your time. More than that, once it becomes a habit, it is easier to make a mental shift between work and after work. Just another way to avoid burning out as well.

Minimise Distractions

As we mentioned before, distractions are productivity killers. It is best to avoid any form of distractions during work hours.

If you live with your family, you can compromise and set a dedicated time to spend with your loved ones and pets. The point is for people to respect your privacy and time so they will not disturb you during work hours. 

Take Breaks

It is easy to forget about lunch or even the time when you get into a productivity groove. But breaks are very important. They can help refresh you and give time for other things in your life:

• Family 
• Pets
• Friends
• Food

Pace Yourself

It is so easy to bite more than you can chew, especially if you are new to your remote job and want to impress the higher-ups. Instead, remember to set realistic goals and deliver. This is why you should pace yourself and know how much you can actually do.

You Can Make Remote Working Work For You

A remote job brings a lot of benefits to the table. But for you to enjoy these benefits, it is important that you are productive and deliver results even with minimal supervision. Staying disciplined, creating good habits, and dedicating a workspace are just a few things to ensure this.

At the end of the day, you took the remote work opportunity to create a better work-life balance for yourself. It is up to you whether your remote job works out or not. The tips on working remotely we shared here serve as a guide to help you stay on track.

Thinking of starting your own business? Check out our blogs so you can learn more about remote working and how to set up your startup business.